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Lookup NU author(s): Dr Stephen Ball, Sean Carrie
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0).
© 2021 The Authors. Clinical Otolaryngology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.Objectives: Smell/taste disturbances are a common but underrated, under-researched and under treated sensory loss and an independent risk factor for reduced longevity. This study aimed to characterise the experience of patients with these disorders in seeking help. Design: The study was designed by patients together with clinicians through a dedicated workshop and conducted as a cross-sectional survey to capture experiences in public and private healthcare settings internationally. Setting: Primary, secondary and tertiary care. Participants: Any members of the public self-reporting a smell/taste disorder were invited to participate. Main outcome measures: The survey captured information including experience of getting consultations and referrals to medical professionals, treatments offered, costs incurred and related problems with mental health. Results: Of 673 participants; 510 female, 160 male, three not stated, self-reported aetiology included sinonasal disease (24%), idiopathic (24%) and post-viral olfactory dysfunction (22%); true gustatory disorders were typically rare. Failure of medical professionals to recognise the problem was a key concern - 64%, 76% and 47% of GPs, ENT specialists and Neurologists acknowledged, respectively. Other issues included repeated ineffective treatments, difficulties getting referrals to secondary/tertiary care, mental health problems (60%) and a mean personal cost of £421 to seeking advice and treatment. Whilst the participants were self-selecting, however, they do represent those who are seeking help and intervention for their disorders. Conclusion: There is an unmet need for these patients in accessing health care including a clear need to improve education of and engagement with the medical profession in Otorhinolaryngology, General Practice and other specialties, in order to remove the current barriers they face.
Author(s): Ball S, Boak D, Dixon J, Carrie S, Philpott CM
Publication type: Article
Publication status: Published
Journal: Clinical Otolaryngology
Year: 2021
Volume: 46
Issue: 6
Pages: 1213-1222
Print publication date: 01/11/2021
Online publication date: 04/06/2021
Acceptance date: 23/05/2021
Date deposited: 22/08/2023
ISSN (print): 1749-4478
ISSN (electronic): 1749-4486
Publisher: Blackwell Publishing Ltd
URL: https://doi.org/10.1111/coa.13818
DOI: 10.1111/coa.13818
PubMed id: 34085404
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